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Friday, October 23, 2015

AFP, PNP employ IPcentric approach to Caraga
lumads

By Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 23 (PIA) –The Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP)
is initiating an Indigenous Peoples’ centric (IP centric) approach to
strengthen their mission to protect the people especially the indigenous
peoples of the region against lawless elements.

"We are strengthening our mission to protect
the people through an IP centric approach focused on attending to the needs of
our IP brothers and sisters. In fact, IP soldiers are deployed in specific
areas to educate lumad communities,” said BGen. Paul Atal, assistant commander
of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

According to 4th ID spokesman Capt. Joe Patrick
Martinez, they were able to deploy some 125 Lumads or indigenous peoples (IPs)
in their respective tribal communities in Mindanao last Oct. 19.

The 125 Lumads were made regular members of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with a rank of private to sergeants.

Meanwhile, PO3 Julius Avila of PNP Caraga said
that in each station in Butuan there is a Lumad Caraganon Welfare Desk that
would directly cater the needs of the IPs. He added that the PNP is working
hand in hand in different areas to sustain peace and promote development.

Moreover, BGen Paul Atal emphasized that the
presence of the AFP, PNP and other government agencies in ancestral domains are
not to cause trouble or even kill any lumad but instead to perform their
mandate to serve and protect the people and to develop and secure peace in the
community.

“As to the killing incidents, with the leadership
of Gen. Hernando Iriberri, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, we are in close coordination with the PNP in the apprehension of
the perpetrators. It's better not to resort to violence in order to secure the
people and win peace and development,” Atal added. (DJA/PIA-Caraga)

Loreto mayor’s bro urges supporters not to place
justice in own hands

By Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 23 (PIA) – Wilfredo Otaza,
brother of Loreto, Agusan del Sur mayor Dario Otaza urges the slain mayor’s
supporters not to place justice in their hands but instead let the authority do
their job in catching the perpetrators.

In an interview, Otaza said that the family seeks
justice for the brutal killing of Mayor Dario and son Daryl however, they will
let the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police
(PNP) enforce the law in solving the crime.

“Just like how Mayor Otaza helped in making former
rebels surrender to the government without enforcing force and violence, I hope
as we seek for justice there would be no infliction of harm or any casualties,
they must not resort to revenge killing,” Otaza said.

Otaza also appreciates the efforts of the AFP and
PNP in the ongoing investigation and pursuits in putting the perpetrators
behind bars.

Meanwhile, the convoy bringing the remains of
Mayor Dario Otaza and his son left Bollozos Funeral Homes, Butuan City around
9:10 a.m. today, they will be brought to their hometown in Loreto, Agusan del
Sur.

There will be a public viewing of the remains at
Otaza’s residence from October 23 to 24 and will be brought back to Butuan City
on Monday. The internment will be on Tuesday at the Uraya Cemetery in Brgy.
Bancasi, this city, it was learned.

Otaza and his son were abducted Monday by 18
unidentified armed men from their home in Barangay Riverside, this city. And
then found shot dead in a coconut plantation in Purok Dos, Barangay Bitan-agan,
Tuesday morning. (DJA/PIA-Caraga)

The meeting discussed the incident of the night of
October 19 to October 20 and its repercussions on security, threat assessment,
and the ensuing investigations, among others.

Parallel to the actions done at the local level,
DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento sent his envoy in the person of DILG Undersecretary
for Local Government Austere A. Panadero who conducted a meeting with PNP
Regional Office–13 Regional Director PCSupt Vert T. Chavez, 4ID Chief MGen
Oscar Lactao, and DILG XIII officials in the afternoon of October 20. He also
personally extended SILG Sarmiento's condolences to the bereaved family of
Mayor Otaza.

Statements for justice and peace resounded
throughout both meetings.

Known in his tribal leadership title as Datu
Malampuson, Mayor Otaza was a champion advocate for peace and a staunch
defender of the rights of the indigenous peoples and the general welfare of his
constituents in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, where he served as Mayor since 2013.

This was his first term as mayor. He recently
filed for reelection last week for the 2016 mayoral race.

He was known for his efforts to quell the presence
and influences of the leftist New Peoples Army (NPA) in Loreto, and bring
others back to the fold of the government. He was an active supporter of
programs of the national government for peace such as the Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (CLIP) where 154 NPA rebels surrendered during the Peace
Caravan in Loreto last May 28-29, 2015; and the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan
(PAMANA) Program through which the municipality of Loreto was project recipient
of the Concreting of National Road Junction Loreto-Binucayan-Sta.
Cruz-Katipunan-Monte Road and the Construction of Bailey Bridge.

The DILG sees this as a tremendous loss, and
expressed its profound sympathy for the bereaved family.

“Our fervent prayers go to the family and loved
ones of Mayor Dario Otaza. We mourn with them, together with his constituents
in Loreto, as we all suffer the loss of a great and noble man,” says Famacion.

The DILG as one family called for justice,
vigilance and peace.

“We call for justice. We condemn these heinous
crime and we will push for expeditious investigation to bring the perpetrators
to justice,” says Famacion.

“We call for vigilance. We ask that the Caraganons
to be ever mindful always of their safety, to be alert and vigilant, especially
in these critical moments as elections draw nearer. We call for peace. We ask
that we all work through our differences, share humility, and actively seek and
sow peace in all our dealings,” adds Famacion.

Such is the appeal of the Department during this
moment of loss, explained Director Famacion. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)